Sam Adams apologized to just about everyone Tuesday, from family to reporters to old flames to Portland voters.

One person left off the list: Robert Ball.

In summer 2007, Ball spread the rumor to Commissioner Randy Leonard, former Mayor Vera Katz and others that Adams had sex with a minor. The Pearl District real estate developer and would-be mayoral candidate said then that he was doing a public service, implying that as a reserve police officer he felt a responsibility to report suspected child abuse.

But Adams and Leonard disputed his motives and accused him of spreading a "nasty smear for political gain." Ball quickly gave up his tentative thoughts of public office.

It turns out that at least part of what Ball told people -- that Adams had a sexual relationship with a former Oregon legislative intern named Beau Breedlove -- was accurate. Adams has admitted having sex with Breedlove, but says that did not happen until after Breedlove turned 18 in summer 2005. The Multnomah County district attorney wants an investigation into whether that's true.

Still, Adams says he does not owe Ball an apology. "He was telling people that I had engaged in a criminal act," Adams said. "That's really high stakes. He's trying to put me in jail."

Ball said Tuesday that he sticks by his original story, that he was simply trying to do the right thing and was an easy scapegoat.

"This is very regrettable," said Ball, who like Adams is an openly gay man. "It's regrettable to the city of Portland and unfortunate for the gay and lesbian community."